From my post 43:
verse 9 is made to mean that we are not saved by ANY works where the scripture clearly distinguishes the works of self-glorification from "good works".
Also
There are also passages that teach that we are not saved by certain kind of works. For example, we are not saved by works of the law, or works done for a temporal reward.
So where DOES the scripture, in contradiction to itself but in accordance with the Protestant myths, teach that we are saved by faih alone? We already know it teaches that we are not.
While I can appreciate your sincerity ... your blindness to the text of the Bible is the real issue here.
How do works relate to salvation? The Biblical relationship is clear from the Ephesians passage, they come after salvation and they are in response to what Christ has already done.
Your approach places your works before salvation, and in such a fashion that you never know if you have done enough to get there. You cling to a false hope that at worst you will have to spend a few years working off some of your sins in purgetory because you just didnt do enough good deeds.
The truth is your approach to works is executed out of selfishness ... you have to do them to maximize your chances of getting into heaven. The Biblical approach has our works after salvation so that we can walk in them with the freedom that salvation brings. If you are constantly doing good works to make sure you get there, you are doing them for YOUR benefit, whether you admit it or not ... doesnt matter. You are unable to unselfishly walk in works if you must do them for your salvation.
"He saved us, not by deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of His own mercy ... by the washing of regeneration ... " Titus 3.5
The Ephesians passage sets forth the proper basis of salvation and works. Salvation is a gift of God (it is not earned or deserved) received by faith; nothing to do with works. After receiving this gift we are then capable of walking in the works that God has prepared for us to walk in ... and we can walk in them without selfish motives, without any sense that we are building up brownie points to make our "works scale" tip in our favor.
In addition ... not only does the Bible teach that salvation is through faith alone, it also clearly teaches that you can KNOW that you have eternal life ... something that adherence to your works-righteousness approach can never give you.
"I write these things to you, who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13